Wayne Faith Leaders Condemn Bomb Threats At HBCUs

WAYNE, NJ — A series of bomb threats at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) earlier this month sparked condemnation from faith leaders around Wayne. The Wayne Clergy Council Faith Leaders called for the prosecution "to the fullest extent of the law" for those responsible.

"Let us open our eyes to all that goes on around us that contribute to racial injustice. Grant us the knowledge to understand all that we do, both personally and as a society, which prevents us from recognizing and defending the dignity of all our brothers and sisters, and especially currently, our brothers and sisters of color who are now undergoing such threats."

Eight different Wayne faith leaders signed the statement: Rev. Deacon Deborah Rucki Drake (Wayne Clergy Council co-chair), Rabbi Meeka Simerly (Wayne Clergy Council co-chair), Rev. Andrew Smith (Grace United Presbyterian Church), Rev. Julia Bertalan (pastor at Packanack Community Church of Wayne), Dr. Nuray Yurt (president of Peace Islands Institute), Rabbi Randy Mark (Shomrei Torah), Dr. Mahendra Jani and Pastor Kimberly Schmidt Cooper.

Bomb threats targeted several HBCUs on Feb. 1 — the first day of Black History Month. Several public officials and university presidents characterized the threats as racist attacks against the institutions.

"The vicious and racially motivated targeting of Florida’s first HBCU is extremely unsettling for our community," tweeted A. Zachary Faison, Jr., president of Edward Waters University. "Law enforcement is currently investigating this threat and your safety is our paramount concern."

The FBI identified six "tech-savvy" kids as persons of interest for the threats, according to NBC News.

Read the full statement from the Wayne Clergy Council & Faith Leaders below:

"Black History Month started on a somber note with multiple bomb threats against historically Black colleges and universities throughout the South and up the Eastern Seaboard.

A series of unconfirmed bomb threats disrupted life at more than a dozen college campuses the first week of February.

Of particular concern were the threats directed at historically Black colleges and universities, or H.B.C.U.s, including at least 17 that temporarily canceled in-person classes and locked down buildings.

We, the undersigned, condemn such actions and want to ensure the general population is aware of these horrific bomb threats. We pray for the health and welfare of the staff, and students at these colleges and universities.

Let us open our eyes to all that goes on around us that contribute to racial injustice.
Grant us the knowledge to understand all that we do, both personally and as a society, which prevents us from recognizing and defending the dignity of all our brothers and sisters, and especially currently, our brothers and sisters of color who are now undergoing such threats.

We call for the prosecution of those responsible to the full extent of the law."

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